Abdominal supporter



UNITED STATES PATENT OEFIC JULIA M. MILLIGAN, OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 16,602, dated February 10, 1857; Ressued September 15, 1857, No. 493.

To /ZZZ whom t may concern Be it known that I, JULIA M MILLIGAN, of the city of New Albany, county of Floyd, and State of Indiana, have invented a new and Improved Abdominal Supporter, the title whereof is Julia M. Milligans Abdominal Supporter; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same and the mode of using the same, reference being made to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature and object of this invention consists in providing an adequate and healthful support to the abdominal region and to enable others to make and use the invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

It consists of a'garment made of silk, cotton or other similar material, so cut as to neatly fit the abdomen of the patient, extending from the lower abdomen to the navel, passing around the person of the patient and fastened at the back, by means of two straps passing through the extremities of the garment and laced like a. corset. Two loops each supported by a band pass around the legs, so as to assist in retaining the support in its proper position.

One or more braces made of whalebone, or any other elastic material which will accomplish the intended object are inserted on each side of the center of the front part of the garment and from two to four inches therefrom and extending from the lower toward the upper part of t-he garment, from there to five inches forming an angle of from ifteen to twenty degrees. One or more cords composed of either cotton or silk are inserted passing above the ospubis and extending around the base of t-he abdomen to a point at each side of the front part of the garment about two inches from the hip bone. These cords are tightened or relaxed at pleasure, so as to give the requisite mechanical support to the organs and to adapt the supporter to the condition and wants of the patient.

There is a lining inside of the garment severing at the cords, so as to prevent from the straining thereof any irritation. The support thus obtained and given to the relaxed condition of the muscles is procured without any confinement or compression of them or without causing any irritation or congestion of any of t-he organs contained in the pelvis. This support is general through,

out the entire base of the abdomen, avoids the irritation and pressure caused by stationary or shifting pads, prevents the rolling of the bowels and the falling or bearing down of the womb. The supporter may be i worn by the patient when the latter is in either an erect or horizontal position.

A and B in drawings No. l, represent the position of the supporting braces. C and D the cords.

Drawing No. 2 represents the back part of the person of the patient and the mode of fastening.

The supporter may be worn with or without drawers; or the upper part of the drawers may be made in the form hereinbefore described, the legs of the drawers, supplying the place of the loops. The garment may be washed like any other article of wearing apparel.

Ihat I claim as my invention and design to secure by Letters Patent is- The application of the whalebone or any other article substantially the same, and the cords or strings as used in the manner above described by which the requisite mechanical support may be obtained.

JULIA M. MILLIGAN.

IVitnesses:

W. T. OTTO, S. P. TOWN.

[FIRST PRINTED 1912.] 

